Lithuanian politician suspected of spying for Russia
Illustrative photo: A member of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats party is suspected of spying for Russia in Lithuania (flicr.com)
Lithuanian law enforcement has completed a pre-trial investigation into a member of the conservative party Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, suspected of espionage for Russian intelligence services, stated representatives of the Lithuanian Prosecutor General's Office and the State Security Department, according to LRT.
The suspect is an elderly man with dual citizenship in Lithuania and Russia, who returned to the country after being deported.
It is known that he has been working for Russia since 2018, collecting confidential information on Lithuania's political situation for the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (GRU).
According to Remigijus Bridikis, Deputy Director of the State Security Department, the suspect used advanced technologies to transmit information. Some of the gathered data was non-classified but confidential and could be used by Russia to influence Lithuania's domestic politics.
Prosecutors suggest that the suspect had access to high-ranking officials when his party was in power. This could have allowed him to interact with ministers, government leaders, and civil servants.
Chief Prosecutor Artūras Urbelis described the case as one of the most complex in his career.
It was reported that the investigation involved identifying the suspect, gathering evidence, and his arrest in January of this year.
Currently, the suspect is in custody, and the case materials are being prepared for court. Authorities are also working to identify his potential accomplices.
Additionally, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated during a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels that Russia was behind nearly 100 hybrid attacks in Europe in 2024.
Earlier, Finnish Armed Forces Commander General Janne Jaakkola warned that Moscow would test NATO countries with hybrid attacks.
